Every now and then I see one of them flitting around, but they never sit, and they are extremely fast. But today was my day.
This could be an elusive Needle-nose Fly (Philoliche aethiopica), but it could also be an African Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum trochilus). In fact I think that it's the latter and I thank @steevc for bringing it to my attention. the amazing thing is that I never knew that they had such a long proboscis (tongue).
What I do know is that they speed around among the flower bushes and that I can never get one on camera. Another secret that I discovered, is that they are also pollinators.
Have a look at this.
Macroglossum trochilus, the African hummingbird hawk-moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Jacob Hübner in 1823. It is very common in most habitats throughout southern and eastern Africa and in the Comoro Islands. Adults are frequently seen at flowers in full sunshine.
I have 5 photos in this post of him to show you that it was not only one lucky shot on camera.
A view of our mountain to serve as a line break.
And this below was in our garden back home.
Two shots of a Paper Wasp of the family (Polistinae), sitting on a Christ Thorn Cactus flower.
A lovely Citrus Butterfly (Papilio demodocus demodocus) on the Periwinkle flowers.
A Shield Bug also on the Christ Thorn Cactus.
And finally, a female Red-veined Dragonfly.
Amazing when one thinks about the millions of insects on our planet and their purposes. Some are really frustrating, such for instance the renowned mosquitos, but they serve as a food source for the smaller animals such as geckos, lizards and chameleons. Just a pity that they have developed a serious taste for mankind's blood. We now bought two Citronella candles to burn when we sit outside at night, and still a mozzie got me on my leg, candles and all.
Insects are the most crucial to plant pollination, and, being key to life, they control the population and density of many life forms, such as plants. As parasites, some regulate pest populations. Sure, some can bring disease to humans and animals, while others destroy crops, but the majority of insects serve nature and keep the balance of life as we know it. They are beautiful and fascinating, and part of the most interesting of living creatures.
Source: Field Guide to Insects of South Africa, by Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths, and Alan Weaving.
I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.
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